Allocator intelligence

Allocator intelligence is structured, evidence-based information about capital allocators—such as family offices, endowments, pensions, foundations, sovereign funds, OCIO-managed pools, and fund-of-funds—used to identify fit, prioritize targets, and tailor fundraising outreach. It combines who the allocator is with what they allocate to, how decisions are made, and what signals indicate timing.

Allocator intelligence is not a “contact list.” It is context + proof + decision pathway.

What allocator intelligence typically covers

A strong allocator-intelligence profile includes multiple layers:

Allocator identity and type

• Allocator type (SFO/MFO, endowment, pension, foundation, SWF, OCIO, FoF)
• Geography and decision hubs
• Institutional structure (direct investing vs. outsourced allocation)

Mandate and stated preferences

• Publicly stated mandate (asset classes, sector themes, geography, stage)
• Manager profile preferences (emerging vs. established, fund size range)
• Constraints (jurisdiction, ESG policy, minimum track record requirements)

Behavioral evidence

• Documented fund commitments and manager relationships
• Known direct investments (where publicly disclosed)
• Repeat patterns (what they back consistently, not once)
• Exposure signals (portfolio themes, strategic initiatives, platform launches)

Decision-chain and access pathway

• Decision makers vs. influencers (IC members, CIO, principals, advisors)
• Whether allocation is direct, consultant-mediated, or OCIO-driven
• Typical evaluation cycle and gating steps

Recency and timing signals

• Recent allocations, hires, role changes, and public positioning
• Signs they are “in market” for a strategy like yours
• What changed that makes them relevant now

Why it matters

Fundraising efficiency is mostly a filtering problem: most outreach fails due to misfit, bad timing, or wrong pathway, not because the fund is inherently unattractive. Allocator intelligence helps teams:

• reduce wasted cycles on low-probability targets
• lead outreach with specific, credible relevance
• navigate the real decision chain (not just the most visible contact)

Allocator intelligence vs. contact data

Contact data: who to email.
Allocator intelligence:

• why this allocator is a fit (with evidence)
• how they allocate (direct vs. delegated)
• who actually decides (and who influences)
• what to lead with (mandate + behavior + timing)

Common use cases

• Building a high-conviction LP target list for a specific strategy (e.g., healthcare services Fund I)
• Segmenting allocators by mandate + behavior (thesis-aligned vs. opportunistic)
• Mapping decision chains (consultant/OCIO screens vs. direct decisions)
• Prioritizing outreach using recency signals (fresh allocations, new hires, new initiatives)

What good allocator intelligence looks like

High-quality allocator intelligence is:

• Evidence-based: backed by public signals or verifiable disclosures
• Structured: comparable across allocators (consistent fields/tags)
• Current: reflects recent changes and allocation windows
• Actionable: directly informs targeting, messaging, and sequencing